The elements of Theolgy enable disciples to learn, study and interpret the Word of God.
The Theology section of S.T.E.P.S. of Discipleship serves as the foundation for understanding the essential beliefs of the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine in spiritual growth. This section explores the nature and purpose of the Bible, its authority as God’s inspired Word, and key theological principles that every believer should grasp. By delving into topics such as the Bible’s structure, divine inspiration, and its unifying theme of redemption, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for Scripture and its role in their discipleship journey.
Central to this section is establishing the Bible as the ultimate guide for life, faith, and practice. It highlights God’s revelation to humanity and instructs believers to study, meditate on, and apply Scripture daily. Special attention is given to pivotal themes like creation, sin, salvation, and restoration, helping Christians align their lives with biblical truth. Through this examination of theology, readers are equipped to build a stronger relationship with God, grounded in knowledge of His Word and His redemptive plan
This section lays the groundwork for integrating robust biblical understanding into the practical aspects of Christian living covered in subsequent sections, ensuring a holistic discipleship process anchored in theology.
The Christian doctrine of the Bible is founded on the belief that the Scriptures are the divinely inspired and authoritative Word of God. It serves as the primary source of faith, instruction, worship, and practice for Christians. Its importance lies in its role as the revelation of God’s nature, plan, and purposes for humanity.
For beginners studying the Bible, it’s helpful to have a structured approach and access to resources that foster understanding and engagement.
Choosing the best Bible translation for personal study depends on a few key factors, including your theological perspective, your reading style, and the purpose of your study.
Interpreting the Bible is an essential task for Christians seeking to understand God’s Word and apply its truths to their lives. Over the centuries, Christians have developed a variety of methods to interpret Scripture correctly and faithfully.
For Christians, the Bible is much more than a book—it is the foundation of faith, essential for understanding God, life’s purpose, and moral conduct. It is the divine revelation of God’s will, and as such, it occupies a central role in Christian teaching, daily practice, and spiritual growth.
Interpreting the Bible is both a deeply enriching and spiritually significant task, but it can also present challenges. Avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring an attitude of humility and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential to faithfully understanding Scripture.
The essential doctrines of the Christian faith are the core beliefs that define Christianity. These doctrines have been drawn from the Bible and historically affirmed by the Church.
The Christian faith includes a set of core doctrines (essential beliefs) that are foundational for salvation. Alongside these essentials are nonessential doctrines and practices, which, while important, often differ across denominations. These nonessential doctrines pertain to areas such as sacraments, church leadership, baptism, marriage, and other theological concepts.
Here is a detailed overview of God’s purpose and plan in the Bible, summarized by major people, prophecies, and events, divided into the Old Testament and New Testament. This overview also includes references to dispensational periods, which some interpret as distinct stages in God’s unfolding plan.
Christian denominations agree broadly that God’s purpose and plan revolve around the glorification of God, the redemption of humanity, and the restoration of creation, but there are significant variations in how specific traditions interpret these themes. These interpretations are shaped by theological frameworks, scriptural emphasis, and unique doctrinal viewpoints.
The historical and theological basis for the different translations of the Bible is rooted in both the complex development of the biblical text over time and the approaches taken by theologians, scholars, and translators to render these texts into different languages.
The most important biblical topics every Christian should know can be broadly categorized into foundational beliefs, essential doctrines, Christian living, and the overarching narrative of God’s purpose.
God’s purpose and plan in the Bible revolve around His desire to:
Reveal Himself as the Creator and Sovereign King over all.
Establish a covenant relationship with His people.
Bring salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, to restore humanity’s broken relationship with God due to sin.
Establish His eternal Kingdom where His people dwell with Him forever.
Different Christian denominations often approach Bible interpretation with distinct methods and emphases, shaped by their theological traditions, historical development, and doctrinal priorities. While many of their methods align with principles outlined in Scripture, the weight placed on various interpretive approaches (e.g., literal, allegorical, theological) can vary.
Applying the principles of biblical interpretation to your daily life and decision-making involves a combination of understanding God’s Word thoughtfully and living it out practically.